This kid just can't even with having his photo taken right now...
Derbyshire Diaries | January + February
The West Mill, Derby Wedding Video | Charlotte & James
“We love it we love it we love it!!! So many lovely little moments that I had forgotten or didn’t see! The amount of people who have said “I want a video just like that!” Or “I don’t usually like wedding videos but that is amazing!!” Thank you for sharing your talents with us and leaving us with mementos that will last forever ”
When The West Mill opened in Derby, I knew I would absolutely love shooting there. I mean... a wedding in a beautifully converted mill building with killer natural light AND it's ten minutes from my house? Yes please.
What better way to shoot The West Mill for the first time than Charlotte and James' wonderful Christmassy wedding. I met them when I photographed Charlotte's sister's wedding back in the summertime and when they got in touch about their day I was so excited!
They booked my video only package, which includes a shorter highlight film (above) and a longer extended version. While I really love combining photos and video, I do really enjoy having the freedom to concentrate solely on the filming at weddings from time to time. To get to do this at my new favourite venue... well... I was most definitely in my element!
Here's their extended film!
Don't forget, if you're getting married locally to me I offer a discount on weddings nearby. So if you're getting hitched in Derbyshire get in touch soon!
Wedding Photography and Filmmaking - 2016 Highlights
2016... well it was a bit of a funny one hey? Just a quick disclaimer before I continue... I'm about to put myself out there. I think there's not a lot of point in blogging if it doesn't help you get to know me a bit better... so here goes. *Deep Breath*
It was a tough year for me... not just because of what was happening in the wider world but because my own personal 2016 was a year of upheaval and change. At times I felt like I'd been turned inside out, trying to put myself back together despite illness, stress and a lot of heartache. The reason why I'm sharing this is because despite all these things something amazing happened... and when you're grateful for something it's probably a good thing to put a great big Thank You out there:
I am so damn grateful for this job. Seriously, how can I thank my couples enough?
Even in the darkest bits when I felt totally lost and couldn't see an easy way forward... weddings were my refuge. Love and cake and tears and proper hugs and daft moments and wisdom shared and trembling hands and belly laughs and ridiculous dancing and the most beautiful quiet moments. They were a reason to get from one week to the next, work to be done that felt valuable... that made me feel valuable despite everything else happening. The times when I felt like myself.
Thankfully, things began to get so much better over time and I now feel happy and well again... I can let go of last year's troubles and keep hold of some truly awesome memories.
So that's quite enough waffle from me hey? Time for some visuals! First up... the video! This year more couples than ever opted for my photography with video highlights package. The closest call was a couple who phoned me up the day before the wedding telling me they suddenly realised they would really regret not having one and asking to add it on... it's now one of their favourite keepsakes of the day!
Narrowing down all my favourite footage from the year to the length of just one song (How We Met (Cherry Pie) by Teen Canteen) was so tricky but I really love the result.
So without further ado... 2016 in video...
And now onto the pictures! Last year I photographed more weddings than ever... and in total I delivered 34,016 (!!!) images to my wedding clients. It's taken weeks of chipping away but here's the collection of 250 (I know, it's still loads but my initial selection was over 500!) that I've narrowed down to share with you today.
Well, if you made it through this post... perhaps you deserve some kind of medal. I promise I will be better at narrowing down photos by this time next year.... Probably.
If you're engaged and like what you see get in touch to book me for your wedding photography!
2017... bring it on. More adventures, more fun, more moments like this.
To 2016 and the people who put me back together, even if they didn't realise it at the time: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Norway | Travel Photography
My trip started with an NSB sleeper train from Drammen to Bergen, which I spent most of sat up cross-legged on my cosy little bunk watching barely-moonlit, snow-kissed views whoosh by. After six hours or so and a couple of hours of sort-of sleep I arrived in Bergen and after a pit-stop for breakfast headed out on a Rødne fjord cruise to Mostraumen.
Jill + Michael | Wedding Photography and Filmmaking
Ahh, it's always ace to get to go North of the Wall and shoot a wedding in Scotland and Jill and Michael's wedding at Fingask Castle was absolutely awesome. If there's one thing I really bloody love it's a wedding with a ceilidh! Check out their video below and take a sneaky look at their photos!
Madeline + Javi | London Wedding photography & Highlights Film
Another London wedding! Yay! It was my first time shooting at Stoke Newington Town Hall and the Council Chamber there is a dream to shoot. After we really, really tested the theory that you can never have *too* much confetti we hopped on a vintage bus to The Royal Inn On The Park which had been decked out like the 50s prom you never got to go to. Balloons! Garlands! Balloons! Balloons!
It was one heck of a party.... watch the video below and then take a sneaky peek at their photos! Balloons!
“We love the video so much! I cried happy tears. We’ve watched it so many times already. We are both so so happy with what you have done, thank you so much. You’ve captured the day perfectly. I’m so happy I found you! ”
MJ + Rick | Wedding Photography and Filmmaking Preview
Self-confessed crazy cat people Rick and MJ got hitched in Knutsford at The Belle Epoque. The Art Nouveau styling of the venue was perfect for their wedding and their love for Paris. It was a beautiful and very emotional day with heaps of personal touches. Watch their video below and then have a little look at their preview photos!
“You’re a superstar, the video had us crying happy tears in the sun in Morocco. It couldn’t be more perfect. You’re truly fantastic.”
Eleanor + Simon | London Wedding Photography
Seriously... I could quite happily shoot a London town hall wedding and pub reception every week. Can I please have some more London weddings?
Eleanor and Simon's wedding was just so wonderfully relaxed and informal. We started off with their ceremony at Hackney Town Hall, heading off on-foot to Bistrotheque for an intimate family dinner and then on to The Northcote Arms for food, dancing and a surprise sing-a-long around the piano. It was awesome, here's a little look at the photos!
Paloma + Michelle | London Wedding Photography
Paloma and Miche got hitched in London (oh I do love Islington Town Hall!) and it was bloody amazing. I was in my element all day and I knew from the moment I heard the Twin Peaks theme tune at the start of the ceremony that it was going to be brilliant. With super badass matching outfits, wonderful speeches, one slightly insane and rather noisy bus ride, crate brewery party and so much more, they had one hell of a wedding. Here's a sneaky look at their day!
Amy + Gino | Destination Wedding Photography at Lake Garda
I love shooting destination weddings so much! It was so good to head back to Italy and see Lake Garda for the first time. Amy and Gino had their ceremony on the gorgeous Isola Del Garda, which their very closest friends and family traveled to on a boat from Gardone Riviera.
If you're interested in booking me for a destination wedding, pricing is bespoke depending on your plans so contact me with as much detail as possible and I can figure out the cost for you.
Tim + Paul | Cinema Museum London Wedding
Tim and Paul chose London's awesome Cinema Museum for their wedding. From their personal ceremony complete with readings from their brilliant team of "best people" to the open top tour bus they hosted to show their guests some sites of the city, the day was full of fun, theatrics and buckets of feeling.
Sarah + Lukas | Cold Harbour Barn Wedding Photography and filmmaking preview
From the moment I arrived to capture Sarah getting ready I knew from her Totoro onesie, Moria chalkboard wall and Star Wars paraphernalia that it was going to be an amazing day. I absolutely loved how they decked out the gorgeous surroundings at Cold Harbour Barn! The cake toppers! The ale bottle decorations! All the little references to things they love! It was awesome. Check out their video and preview images!
“Hannah we absolutely love the video!!! It has perfectly captured the feeling of the day thank you so so much!!!”
Ellie + Tom | Carsington Water Wedding Photography & Filmmaking
Well, it's been a little while since my last blog! I'm on a major catch-up mission now that I have internet in my LOVELY new home. So here we are with Ellie and Tom's wonderfully relaxed tipi wedding just outside Matlock in Derbyshire's beautiful Carsington Water.
It was just such a fun and informal day complete with a VERY impressive wedding bakeoff (check out the pyrotechnics on the winning cake!)
Here's their wedding video and preview photos!
“This is beyond our wildest expectations! You have captured the day so well and have had us all in floods of tears again.... I swear that every time I watch it I notice something new and I have a new favourite bit! I had this horrible post-wedding fear that my terrible memory would mean that I forgot important little parts of the day but the video has meant that I’m not scared of that anymore!”
Emma & Dan | York Cycle Stop Wedding Photography Preview
Emma and Dan had their wonderful humanist ceremony against a backdrop of colourful paper lanterns in the trees at York Cycle Stop (such a pretty hidden gem!!) I also have to mention the gorgeous dress from Abigail's Vintage Bridal.
The whole day was filled with fun, silliness and love. And cake. Lots of cake. Here's some photos!
Kate + Tim | Vintage Wedding Photography Preview
THIS is how you do a village hall wedding. Oh my goodness... all that wonderful colourful bunting (spot the Parks and Recreation reference!) and so much wonderful food. The outdoor ceremony was gorgeous and after dinner the field was transformed into a proper village fete complete with games.
So much pretty... so much fun!
Jules + Kyle | Destination Wedding Photography & Filmmaking at Chateau de Varennes
Oh my goodness! I am so lucky that my job takes me to so many fantastic places. I do love a destination wedding! This time it was off to France and Chateau De Varennes for Jules and Kyles super-chic wedding. I just loved the outdoor reception as the sun went down. Here's their wedding video and a few preview photos!
“Thank you so much for such an amazing video. Even though we knew your talents you have surpassed our expectations... We can’t stop watching it!”
Jennifer + Richard | Polhawn Fort Wedding Photography Preview
I am always super happy to have a wedding in Cornwall... it's such an amazing part of the world. I absolutely adored Jennifer and Richard's wedding at Polhawn Fort, perched by the sea. We were lucky enough to have an absolutely stunning sunset and I loved exploring the beach for their couple portraits!
Danielle + Steven | Hestercombe House Wedding Photography
Hestercombe House, near Taunton, was the perfect setting for Danielle and Steven's beautifully elegant wedding. I could have spent a week finding all the different little spots around the venue for portraits - can I go back again for more exploration please? So many stunning backdrops or lovely pools of light.
Here's a little preview of their images.
